The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the structure and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation and the Florida Transportation Commission. It authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to appoint three assistant secretaries and an Executive Director of Transportation Technology, all of whom will be exempt from career service and included in the Senior Management Service. The qualifications for members of the Florida Transportation Commission are revised to require expertise in higher education, transportation, or workforce development. Additionally, the bill creates the Florida Transportation Research Institute to coordinate policies and award grants, expands grant eligibility under the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program, and modifies definitions related to transportation.

Furthermore, the bill introduces regulatory changes for airport operations, requiring private airports of public interest to obtain certification from the Department of Transportation by July 1, 2030, and establishes conditions for public airport licenses. It emphasizes the importance of safety and compliance, prohibits landing fees for certain aircraft operations by nonprofit institutions, and mandates commercial service airports to maintain a comprehensive infrastructure program. The legislation also addresses workforce development in the transportation sector, enhances the permitting process for wireless communications facilities, and promotes the efficient deployment of infrastructure while ensuring local governments cannot impose overly restrictive regulations. Overall, the bill aims to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Florida's transportation and aviation systems.

Statutes affected:
S 1662 Filed: 212.20, 311.07, 316.0741, 316.0745, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.406, 338.227, 339.2816, 339.287, 339.55, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 c1: 311.07, 316.0741, 316.0745, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 334.044, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.401, 337.406, 338.227, 339.287, 339.55, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 c2: 311.07, 316.003, 316.0741, 316.0745, 316.550, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.044, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.401, 338.227, 339.287, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 c3: 311.07, 316.003, 316.0741, 316.0745, 316.550, 320.0848, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.401, 337.406, 338.227, 339.135, 339.287, 339.63, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 e1: 311.07, 316.003, 316.0741, 316.0745, 316.550, 320.0848, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.401, 337.406, 338.227, 339.135, 339.287, 339.63, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 e2: 311.07, 316.003, 316.0741, 316.0745, 316.550, 320.0848, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.401, 337.406, 338.227, 339.135, 339.287, 339.63, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403
S 1662 er: 311.07, 316.003, 316.0741, 316.0745, 316.550, 320.0848, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.401, 337.406, 338.227, 339.135, 339.287, 339.63, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403